Have you ever wondered if the “right” accounting path you’re on is actually the best one for you?

Many accountants do everything by the book—climb the ladder, build the firm, serve the clients—only to quietly question whether the way they’re working is sustainable, fulfilling, or even necessary. This episode speaks directly to that moment of tension: when you’re successful on paper, but sense there may be a smarter, healthier, more intentional way to build your career without walking away from the profession you care about.

By listening to this episode, you’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of how to serve clients deeply without letting responsibility consume your life
• Practical insight into why systems, boundaries, and community aren’t “nice-to-haves,” but leverage points for long-term success
• A broader view of what’s actually possible in an accounting career—especially paths most people don’t realize are options

Press play to hear how one accountant’s unconventional choices reshaped her career—and may help you rethink what’s next for yours.

Connect with Rebecca!

🐦 X: https://x.com/RDriscollCPA

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-driscoll-cpa/

🌐 http://rdriscollcpa.com/

Checkout The Collaboration Room

🐦 X: https://x.com/tcrtalks

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcr-talks

🌐 http://thecollaborationroom.co/

🤝Connect with Yehuda:
🐦X: https://x.com/Y10Tax
💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yehuda-tenenbaum/

✉️Want to join the show? Send me an email @ thepeoplebehindthebooks@gmail.com.

http://thepeoplebehindthebooks.com/

00:00 Welcome to The People Behind the Books
02:45 Introducing Rebecca Driscoll
02:50 From middle-school teaching to accounting
08:22 Learning bookkeeping the hard way
10:11 Making the leap into tax preparation
13:58 Inside accounting firm culture
17:11 Why technology matters more than most firms realize
19:11 Building a book of business
21:34 How COVID reshaped accounting practices
23:29 The evolution of Rebecca’s firm
25:56 The challenges of being a boss
28:45 Setting and enforcing client boundaries
31:28 Work-life balance and personal growth
33:55 Coaching and helping other accountants
39:33 How the profession perceives its own challenges
41:20 Work-life balance and gender dynamics in accounting
42:51 Advice for new firm owners
43:37 Why community matters in accounting
46:47 The origin of The Collaboration Room
50:38 Building partnerships across differences
54:27 Creating a supportive professional community
57:19 The real value of networking
01:02:02 Personal insights & lightning round

What do Juilliard, IRS audits, and international artists have in common? In this episode of The People Behind the Books, Yehuda sits down with Phyllis Jo Kubey, EA, CFP, to explore her unexpected path from classical music to a 40-year career in tax. Phyllis shares real-world lessons from representing complex clients, navigating audits and collections, advocating confidently with the IRS, and building a long, sustainable career rooted in trust, preparation, and empathy. This conversation offers tax and accounting professionals a rare look at the human side of practice, and what truly makes a difference over the long run.

Connect with Phyllis!

🐦 X: https://x.com/PKubeyEA

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-jo-kubey-b04757a/

🌐 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phyllisjokubey/

🌐 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phyllis.kubey.7

🤝Connect with Yehuda:
🐦X: https://x.com/Y10Tax
💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yehuda-tenenbaum/

✉️Want to join the show? Send me an email @ thepeoplebehindthebooks@gmail.com.

http://thepeoplebehindthebooks.com/

00:00 Introduction to Phyllis Jo Kubey
01:07 Phyllis's Journey from Music to Taxes
10:12 Building a Tax Practice in New York
17:12 Navigating Tax Law Changes
20:48 Bridging the Gap Between Creatives and Taxes
23:59 Helping Clients Overcome Tax Challenges
30:45 Success Stories in Tax Resolution
36:56 Navigating Complex Tax Situations
39:03 Client Management and Fee Structures
45:42 Professional Involvement and Networking
51:30 Insights from the IRS Advisory Council
01:01:08 The Future of Tax Professionals
01:05:34 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

In this episode, we meet Helen Hastings. A software engineer by trade, Helen discusses Quanta's vision to serve as a comprehensive financial system for businesses, emphasizing the importance of having all financial data centralized to provide real-time insights. She highlights the needs of small businesses, which often seek efficient solutions rather than complex accounting software.

Connect with Helen and Quanta!

💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenbhastings/

🌐https://www.usequanta.com/

🤝Connect with Yehuda:

🐦X: https://x.com/Y10Tax

💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yehuda-tenenbaum/

✉️Want to join the show? Send me an email @ thepeoplebehindthebooks@gmail.com.

http://thepeoplebehindthebooks.com/

🧾Need help with your taxes? https://www.y10tax.com/